Not long after, a lecturer with a prominent cheekbone stepped onto the mid-height wooden platform at the front of the small hall and spoke loudly: "Good morning, ladies, kind and generous as ever. I am Saviyara Heda, and today I'd like to share with you some experience on managing household expenses, which I'll divide into three parts: first, how families earning around one hundred pounds per year can balance their spending on food, housing, clothing, and hiring domestic servants; second, what additional expenses families earning two hundred pounds per year should consider to appear more refined and well-off..." Melissa listened attentively, recalling without having to mentally calculate the combined annual income of her two brothers. "Over two hundred pounds," she thought, half relieved, half apprehensive. She was both pleased and satisfied with her current life, yet afraid it might vanish overnight. At that moment, Selena, with her deep red hair, covered her mouth and spoke softly to her two friends: "She seems to be a devoted follower of the Storm Sovereign—she's wearing the Storm emblem." Melissa focused her gaze and indeed saw a badge depicting wind and waves worn on the left breast of Professor Saviyara. She quickly explained: "I understand that the Mrs. Shode who gave this lecture is a devotee of the Storm Sovereign—so I don't find it at all surprising that Professor Saviyara also shares this devotion." "Well, I don't see any issue with that—we're here to hear about the specific household budget plan," Elizabeth reassured Melissa. "But besides Melissa, none of us actually needs or has the qualifications to prepare a household budget plan," murmured Selena, with her wine-colored hair. Elizabeth immediately countered: "We will eventually marry, and eventually build our own family." Since the incident with the Magic Mirror, Selena had always felt a bit uneasy around Elizabeth, and thus only nodded shyly, pretending to listen attentively. The lecture teacher, Saviyara, raised her right hand and said: "All of these expense plans are predicated on our respecting the opinions of the male head of the household—they are the source of our income, the pillars of the family. In this turbulent society, they face anxiety, pressure, troubles, and chaos, and it is through their perseverance that they secure everything for us. Therefore, we must create a tranquil environment, free from external distractions, so that when they return home, they can relax and have their souls renewed, enabling them to meet each new challenge with renewed strength..." "So, the renowned philosopher, sociologist, humanist, and economist, Lurmi, once said, 'Women are the angels of the household.' "Saviyara gently rested her hands on her cheeks, highlighting her dimples, and asked in a low, excited tone: "Lurmi—was he the one who said, 'Life is free'?" "Yes, but he is a devoted follower of the Lord of the Storm." Elizabeth replied, hesitating. At this moment, the lecture teacher, Saviyarla, continued: "Mr. Lurmi also told us that women are inherently deficient in wisdom and logic. If that is so, then, lacking in judgment ourselves, we ought to accept our father's and husband's words as religious beliefs..." (Note 1). This description left Melissa, Selena, and Elizabeth looking at one another, silent for a long time. "Shall we go?" Selena finally ventured. Melissa and Elizabeth nodded simultaneously. "Yes!" They took their hats, bent their spines, and slipped toward the side door, trying to leave without drawing attention. When they reached the outside and straightened up, they suddenly heard a warm, enthusiastic round of applause from the small hall. Melissa instinctively turned around, her gaze passing through the archway, toward the interior. There, she saw Mrs. Shode clapping, and saw one lady after another clapping. Phew, praising the goddess... Melissa exhaled, stepping away from the place that had left her feeling uncomfortable, joining Serena and Elizabeth. Though I've long since emptied my savings, just browsing and taking in the sights is still delightful. "Yes," Elizabeth agreed to her friend's suggestion, casually asking, "Meredith, does your brother, Cleon, also work on Sundays?" "Yes, he rests on Mondays—unlike a regular work schedule," Meredith raised her head slightly, unconsciously. ………… After leaving Blackthorn Security, Cleon took the street tram to Hauls district. He made a conscious effort to settle his thoughts, no longer dwelling on the Antigonus family's treasure, but refocusing his attention on the act of 'performing': to quickly absorb and master the potions, and to steadily improve himself—this was crucial at any time! "As a fortune-teller, I still feel rather unskilled. In the land of the gastronomic nation, the seers always consult their almanac before doing anything." Cleon held his staff, seated comfortably within the tram. He decided to consult his fortune-telling powers early to see whether today was auspicious for travel, especially to the卜 Club. Only then would he be a truly qualified fortune-teller! Seizing the moment as the vehicle stopped, Crain pulled out a half-penny copper coin, lowered his gaze, and quickly deepened his eyes, silently reciting: "Today is suitable for visiting the卜 Club." "Today is suitable for visiting the卜 Club." ... Clink! Crain launched the coin upward, not looking at its spin, but instead extended his palm flat. Plink! The half-penny coin settled gently onto his palm. This time, the numeral "1/2" was facing up, flanked by clusters of wheat. "With the numeral facing up, this indicates that something unfavorable will occur when I visit the卜 Club," Crain thought briefly, then turned and walked toward the street opposite, waiting for the public horse carriage heading toward the Narcissus Street. He felt himself becoming more and more like a mere charlatan. ... Hauls District, at the entrance of Harcourt Department Store. Serena was about to enter when she suddenly paused, turning toward the side. "Has something happened?" Elizabeth asked in curiosity. Serena puffed out her cheeks. "Elizabeth, I've been thinking of my teacher, Mr. Vincent, who passed away—right on the morning of my birthday..." "Could it be that I've been guilty and uneasy all along for secretly reading and using his incantations? It's been troubling me ever since. And lately, I've just seemed to be having a series of misfortunes." "So?" Elizabeth responded with quiet understanding. Serena lightly bit her lip. "I'd like to go to the adjacent divination club and have a reading done—perhaps to see if Mr. Vincent's passing is truly connected to me." What exactly happened on the evening of my birthday... I keep feeling that Elizabeth has something to hide from me. I remember a gentleman's silhouette in a tailcoat. "Isn't that something you're good at yourself?" Elizabeth asked, surprised. Selena deliberately mimicked her father's sigh and said, "Oh, I'm not in the right state to do a reading for myself right now." "Alright, then, let's head over to the divination club next door." Elizabeth agreed with her friend's suggestion. They walked over and ascended the stairs to the divination club on the second floor. "Hello, good afternoon, Miss Angela! It's wonderful to see you again." Selena greeted warmly in the reception area. Angela smiled and replied, "As long as you come after lunch, you'll surely find me here." After a few polite exchanges and a brief tribute to Hinas Vanes, Selena said, "I'd like to do a reading." "You know the club's rules—this is the membership roster of those who offer readings. It's quite busy today since it's the weekend." Angela smoothly guided them through the process. Selena and Elizabeth leaned close, quickly scanning the roster and the corresponding descriptions. "Previously, I always went straight to my teacher, but I didn't expect that compared to last year, so many members at the club have now volunteered to offer fortune-telling services." Selena said, showing clear interest. Suddenly, she paused for a few seconds and murmured with curiosity, "Celine Moretti, Celine Moretti? That's exactly the same as her brother Melissa's name!" Elizabeth was momentarily startled, repeatedly scanning the words "Celine Moretti," and nodded thoughtfully, "Yes... indeed." "Madam Angela, is Mr. Celine Moretti available?" Selena asked brightly. Angela shook her head, "I'm sorry, Mr. Celine Moretti hasn't come to the club today." "Very well, then, let's try someone else." Selenne didn’t feel it was necessary to meet the person, but merely chuckled to her friend, “I know this won’t be Melissa’s brother, but as soon as I see the name, I naturally think of a headline—something like the kind you’d find in *The Intis Post*.” Founded by Emperor Roscel, *The Intis Post* is renowned for its dramatic headlines and is one of the most prominent newspapers on the northern continent. Elizabeth asked, somewhat distracted, “What kind of headline?” Selenne cleared her throat and replied, “Is it a moral failing, or a societal issue? A history major now having to rely on weekend fortune-telling to make ends meet!” Note 1: This passage is adapted from Rousseau’s *Emile*.